An Empirical Analysis of Identity Theft Determinants in the U.S.

Cebula, Richard and Koch, James and Unemori, Mary (2006): An Empirical Analysis of Identity Theft Determinants in the U.S. Published in: Review of Business Research , Vol. 7, No. 6 (15 October 2007): pp. 1-8.

Abstract

This study finds that ID theft rates tend to be an increasing function of the unemployment rate and the proportion of the population concentrated in urban areas, and a decreasing function of the relative amount of resources devoted to laws enforcement and the percentage of individuals who claim a religious affiliation. We also find ID theft to be an increasing function of the extent of undocumented immigration, internet access, on the other hand, is found to negatively impact the incidence of ID theft, underscoring the decisive role of immigration and economic variables as determinants of ID theft. Educational attainment in the U.S. does not seem to be a factor.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: identity theft; undocumented migration; economic factors; urbanization
• Subjects: D - Microeconomics > D1 - Household Behavior and Family Economics > D14 - Household Saving; Personal Finance; D - Microeconomics > D1 - Household Behavior and Family Economics > D18 - Consumer Protection; E - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics > E2 - Consumption, Saving, Production, Investment, Labor Markets, and Informal Economy > E26 - Informal Economy ; Underground Economy; F - International Economics > F2 - International Factor Movements and International Business > F22 - International Migration; J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J6 - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers > J61 - Geographic Labor Mobility ; Immigrant Workers; R - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics > R5 - Regional Government Analysis > R51 - Finance in Urban and Rural Economies

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